Former Senator Sherrod Brown Faces Scrutiny Over Data Center Stance Amidst Campaign Contributions
Former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, currently campaigning for the Ohio Senate seat against Republican incumbent Jon Husted in the 2026 special election, is facing criticism regarding his stance on data centers. Brown's campaign has launched an ad targeting Husted for spearheading the expansion of data centers in Ohio, linking their growth to increased electric bills for residents. However, campaign finance records reveal that Brown's past campaigns have received significant contributions from Google's corporate PAC and lobbyists, including individuals whose firms have lobbied on issues related to data center permitting and grid reliability. This has led to accusations of 'Jekyll-and-Hyde politics' from GOP strategists, who question why Brown is now attacking an industry from which he previously accepted financial support. Brown's campaign has emphasized his opposition to data center expansion, stating that Ohioans should not subsidize these costs, but has not directly addressed the past contributions.
